Ocean Shores Lawyers

Chris Van Vechten moved to Tacoma from Portland in 2004 to attend the University of Puget Sound. He studied history, volunteered in the community, worked as a legislative staff member for a state representative and later a state senator, and even personally ran for school board before enrolling in Seattle University School of Law. Prior to launching the Law Office of Chris Van Vechten, Chris worked as a Rule 9 prosecuting attorney with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office and later with the Lakewood City Attorney’s Office. In addition, he interned with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Civil Division...

Casey got his start as a lawyer with the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office where he won his first several jury trials. After working briefly with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office, he was hired by the Hester Law Group where he worked for ten years – trying numerous misdemeanor, felony and civil trials – before joining Puget Law Group in February 2019 as a Partner. In January 2022, Casey became Managing Partner. Casey fights vigorously for his clients. He has been recognized for his fervent representation of his civil clients – having a 100% success rate at trial – and he has...

I aggressively pursue legal remedies on behalf of my clients to the fullest extent of the law by providing forceful, commanding, and bold attorney representation; as a result, I GET results! At the end of the day, I hope to make meaningful connections with honest hard-working people. Ultimately, my goal is to form lifelong relationships with my clients--I'll work on your case as if I were a member of your family; I invite you to consider becoming a member of ours. My practice areas include the following: (1) Employment Discrimination; (2) Disparate Treatment; (3) Disparate Impact;...

A Seattle native, Amanda O’Halloran joined the firm in 1995, after graduating from Seattle University School of Law. She focuses her practice primarily on providing employment law advice to a diverse group of businesses, ranging from car dealerships and other retail establishments to healthcare providers, financial services companies, non-profits, and private membership associations. She is frequently called upon to provide advice on difficult employment terminations, conducting internal harassment and discrimination investigations, drafting employment agreements and other contracts, and developing anti-harassment policies and conducting training. Amanda works closely with Human Resource personnel, executive management, and business owners to resolve...

Jonathan "Jonny" Baner focuses his practice on debt collection and personal injury. ?Jonny represents creditors that are individuals, businesses, and debt collection companies. The bulk of his practice involves discovering and garnishing or otherwise seizing assets of debtors for sale to the benefit of creditor clients. He represents creditors across all of Washington State including in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Spokane. He has had cases in almost every county in Washington. Growing up in St. Louis, Jonny was surrounded by the hard-working values of his parents. His father was a union autoworker and his mother worked in hospitality, instilling in Jonny a deep...

JAMES F. CHRISTNACHT was admitted to practice law in the state of Washington in 1984 after having attended the University Of Puget Sound School Of Law. Mr. Christnacht has engaged in the general practice of law since his admission to the bar. He is admitted to practice before the Washington State Courts, Federal District Court and the Puyallup Tribal Court. His practice has included personal injury, probate, guardianship, wills and estate planning, will contests and estate litigation, misdemeanor criminal defense and traffic matters, real estate, and business law. Mr. Christnacht is a second generation lawyer. Having grown up with...

I am a resident of Gig Harbor, WA, and have lived in the community for over 20 years. I focus my practice on estate planning, including: wills, trusts, and probate administration.

I am a native of Olympia, and my family has been in the region for more than 100 years. I received my B.A. in Philosophy before graduating from Lewis and Clark Law School. I have been licensed to practice law since 1996 and have spent my career serving my community. I place an emphasis on attorney-client communication. This includes promptly responding to messages, regularly meeting with clients at my office, and providing an online portal through which clients may access their important records. I promise this level of communication to each and every client I serve.

Jakob graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. He then attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He excelled academically, earning CALI awards in several courses including Constitutional Law, Professional Responsibility, and Real Estate Law. He also excelled in Moot Court competition, competing in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition twice, and winning the Gonzaga University Clarke Cup oral advocacy competition in 2012. During law school, Jakob volunteered for several organizations such as the Washington Moderate Means Program, the Center for Justice,...

Britt Birkenbuel is a graduate of Gonzaga University and the University of Oregon School of Law. She originally started her career working on criminal defense and personal injury cases before obtaining a judicial clerkship with Judge Bruce I. Weiss in Snohomish County Superior Court. As a judicial clerk, Britt gained invaluable experience researching, briefing, and working with the Judge on trials and motions that came before the Court. By working within the court, Britt has hands-on experience understanding jury trials and the litigation process.

Britt is passionate about fighting for the “underdog.” She works tirelessly to battle insurance companies and big...

Paul has been a family law attorney for Morris Sockle Posadas for the past 16 years, and in January 2022, he became a partner at the firm. He continues to take on cases and prides himself on being a strong, pragmatic litigator. His clients, opposing attorneys, and judges know him as a calm, professional advocate who drives results in and out of the courtroom. From highly-contentious child custody battles to property division disputes, Paul is equipped to handle a variety of different family law cases. Paul was born in Baguio City, Philippines but spent a majority of his life in Washington state....

James B. Feldman is an experienced trial and criminal defense attorney in Pierce, King, Kitsap and Thurston counties Tacoma and other areas of Western Washington. He is a graduate of the College of the University of Chicago and the University of Puget Sound School of Law. For twenty-eight years, he has been fighting to protect the rights of people accused of crimes both misdemeanors and felonies including DUI, domestic violence, property crimes, fraud and murder. He is a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association, The Federal Bar of the Western District of Washington, the...

Andrea is a trial lawyer with an emphasis in business and employment litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. She has successfully represented clients litigating shareholder, non-competition, and employment discrimination disputes, and obtained pre-trial injunctions. She has achieved jury verdicts enforcing her clients’ contract rights, represented clients in trust and estates disputes, and obtained protection for vulnerable adults. She also regularly represents clients in the areas of regulatory monitoring and advocacy, including extensive work in alcohol regulation and policy, and with Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Andrea joined GTH in 2005 after graduating from Seattle University School of Law,...

Michael T. Smith advises individuals and companies of all types and sizes regarding the proper formation and structure of a business entity (corporation, limited liability company, etc.), their general business and corporate matters, issues related to the purchase or sale or lease of real property and transactions to purchase or sell their business. Michael also focuses his practice on assisting people prepare their estate plan, including wills, trusts, community property agreements, durable powers of attorney, health care directives, and helping families navigate and administer a loved one's estate in probate proceedings. Michael can also assist with guardianship proceedings for loved ones...

Kyle Drinnon is a Seattle personal injury attorney. He represents individuals who have been injured through the negligence of others in car accidents, slip and falls, and other incidents.

Kyle has represented injured clients throughout the Puget Sound region in jury trials, arbitrations, and mediations, and has successfully argued before the Washington Court of Appeals and Washington Supreme Court.

Kyle is a Puget Sound native and graduate of the University of Washington. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Seattle University School of Law located in heart of Seattle.

Warren’s primary area of practice is labor and employment law. In this capacity, he represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, termination, wage-and-hour litigation, collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and day-to-day advice.

If client loyalty and satisfaction are any measure of an attorney’s success, then Warren has a lot to proud of. After 30 years, he continues to represent his first legal client, a chain of locally owned grocery stores. In fact, he has worked for many of his clients for several decades. Some of his other long-term clients include Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Housing Authority,...

Lesley has been practicing exclusively immigration law since July, 2005. She has significant experience in representing clients in Immigration Court, both detained and non-detained cases; appeals from Immigration Judge decisions, both at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Lesley also specializes in affirmative applications, including green card applications, asylum, NACARA, and citizenship applications filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Lesley handles labor certifications, including specialty cook applications. She is fluent in Spanish. Lesley is actively involved in her community and was appointed by Mayor Greg Nickels to the Seattle Immigrants and...

I have been practicing bankruptcy and personal injury law in Seattle for over 31 years. I have helped over 5000 individuals get debt free or receive fair compensation for their personal injuries.

Christopher Morales grew up a military brat, whose family was stationed all over the western United States, including Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Denver, CO, and Corpus Christi, TX. While he enjoyed each place for its own unique charm, upon landing in King County, it was love at first sight. Christopher kept his higher education local for as long as possible, attending the University of Washington where he earned a degree in political science. He did leave Western Washington for a short period of time to attend law school at Creighton University in Nebraska but pined for the cloudy skies and...

Campos Avelar Law is committed to fighting for immigrant rights. Our goal is to gain justice and equality for immigrants through the victory of each case we take on. Our dedication is reflected in the energy and time that we commit to your particular legal matter. If you are looking for a passionate and experienced team, Campos Avelar Law is where your searching ends

Chong H. Ye is a Federal Way, WA personal injury trial lawyer who understands that when clients come to him with legal concerns, they need his experience and his readiness to fight the insurance companies on their behalf. Chong spent the first ten years out of college in ministry leading youth, college, and adults. His ministry experience is advantageous in ensuring his clients receive individualized attention with their cases. Furthermore, he advises his clients to continue receiving the necessary medical treatments and allow him to concentrate on preventing the insurance companies from taking advantage of them. Ultimately, his goal is...

I grew up in Enumclaw, Washington, with a close-knit family who instilled in me the values of family, faith, and hard work. Growing up, I enjoyed fishing, skiing, and being outdoors. I have wanted to be a lawyer from my youth. The allure of fighting for the little guy,speaking up for the vulnerable, and seeking justice led me to a career as a personal injury attorney. To this end, I attended the University of San Diego and graduated Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law. After earning my degree, I served as an extern for the Seattle...

I have been helping clients with DUI defense & traffic infractions for over 25 years! My understanding and knowledge of your situation with your case is what sets me apart. I work directly with you one-on-one to see your case through and get you the best possible outcome!

EXCLUSIVE PRACTICE - My practice is concentrated on Criminal, DUI, and Traffic defense cases. I am not a general practitioner who handles many different types of law. Criminal law has been my focus area since I became a lawyer over 25 years ago.

CUSTOMER SERVICE - I treat clients the way I would...

Ellis McGehee Carter is a distinguished attorney specializing in corporate and tax matters for nonprofit, tax-exempt, and mission-based businesses, alongside advising donors on major gifts. With a profound dedication to serving organizations that make a significant impact, Ms. Carter leverages her extensive experience in nonprofit governance, tax law, and business transactions to provide unparalleled legal guidance. Her expertise extends to navigating complex tax issues for exempt entities, ensuring they remain compliant while advancing their mission. Ms. Carter's adeptness in handling intricate business transactions for nonprofits is evident through her work on reorganizations, the creation of affiliates and subsidiaries, and facilitating mergers,...

Before becoming an attorney, Reuben worked in the construction and building trade. He puts his prior life experience to good use in his practice areas of environmental and land use law. In addition to being a skilled attorney, Reuben is a compassionate advocate who loves working with his clients to solve problems and keep goals and objectives on track.

Reuben began his career at the Washington Supreme Court where he served as law clerk to Justice Charles W. Johnson. Prior to that, he served as an extern to Judge James L. Robart at the Federal District Court in Seattle.

Shelly focuses her practice on employment law and litigation, commercial litigation, products liability, construction law, insurance defense and coverage, and appellate advocacy. She represents individuals and businesses in all aspects of commercial and employment disputes and especially enjoys working with clients to help them understand the legal process. Shelly prides herself on being a tough advocate for her clients and finding strategic and creative solutions in tough cases.

Shelly joined GTH in 2011. A graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, she began her legal career in Alaska, first serving as a judicial law clerk for...

Before earning her law degree, magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University School and joining GTH in 1991, Margaret Archer was a financial analyst for Westinghouse Hanford Company. She puts her business acumen and insight into the world of finance to good use in her position as Chair of our Board of Directors and in her practice areas of land use, real estate litigation and commercial litigation.

James joined GTH after completing a clerkship for the former Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court. He focuses his practice pursuing trials in the areas of personal injury, catastrophic accidents, employment law, and insurance coverage.

He has briefed and argued multiple appeals, including cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. In his practice he has represented families in wrongful death cases, victims in sexual abuse cases, and many returning U.S. service members who face discrimination or retaliation in the workplace.

When he’s not working, he’s blazing trails, scaling peaks, and skiing with his...

Rita is a founding partner and CEO of McKinley Irvin. With an eye toward the future, Rita works with the firm's leadership team to maintain McKinley Irvin’s commitment to excellence in law practice, client service, professionalism, and firm management. In addition to her work at McKinley Irvin, Rita is deeply involved in the Tacoma community and has served as a director on several local and professional boards. She currently serves on the Legal Pathways Community Advisory Board and as a Dressel Scholars Mentor at the University of Washington Tacoma. Additionally, Rita founded MI’s Black Law Student Mentorship Program where she...

Kristi O'Brien's practice is primarily in the area of business transactions and real estate transactions. Kristi represents business clients and medical practices in real estate, commercial, corporate planning, partnership, asset and stock purchase and sale, employment, and health law.

May is a licensed Attorney and CPA with a J.D. degree, specializing in business law, financial, and tax advisory. With extensive experience in providing strategic guidance and practical solutions, May offers holistic advice tailored to the unique needs of individuals, small businesses, and corporations. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and conversational Japanese, May excels in effective communication and client service, catering to an international clientele. Known for meticulous attention to detail and maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards, May is committed to delivering tailored solutions that drive success in complex legal and financial landscapes.

John is a international lawyer with multiple post graduate degrees from both U.S. and European schools. He is a certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Controls Specialist. He has extensive multifaceted experience in business law and litigation.

Lance did not begin his legal career expecting to be a bankruptcy attorney. But along the way, working for a general practitioner, he found that the trade most rewarding. Consumer bankruptcy was a fast-moving process that could offer people real relief very quickly. The many legal concepts in bankruptcy come naturally to Lance, and he finds fulfillment not only in devising the best strategies for clients, but also fully advising and explaining the procedures and decisions along the way. He structures his practice to provide maximum direct communication with his clients. Lance has called the Great Northwest...

Nick is a trial attorney that joined Anderson Carey & Williams in 2015. Appearing for defendants and plaintiffs in federal and state courts throughout California, Arizona, Washington and other jurisdictions, Nick's litigation experienced includes successful resolutions of various Jones Act, food contamination, constructions defect, insurance bad faith, and product liability cases on behalf of many different businesses and individuals. Nick grew up in New Jersey and after highschool he attended New York University for undergraduate studies in music and business. After he graduated in 2007 with honors from NYU he moved over to Virginia for law school and attended...

My practice focuses on probate, guardianships, estate planning, TEDRA (Trusts and Estate Dispute Resolution Act of Washington) litigation and alternate dispute resolution.

Brian Edwards started his career in clinical psychology, where he often served as a court-appointed counselor for mentally ill patients. With his listening and conflict resolution skills, honed through his years as a therapist, and because he’s driven by a desire to help people who are going through difficult transitions, he chose to become a family law attorney. "This is the area of law that really matters the most. It touches on the most fundamental pieces of peoples’ lives: their family, their children, and their financial security." He has significant trial experience and is particularly knowledgeable in non-parental custody matters. He...

Behind Jennifer Payseno’s calm and deliberate demeanor are the intellect and ability of one of Seattle’s finest family law attorneys. Affiliated with McKinley Irvin since 1999, Jennifer is highly regarded throughout the legal community for her integrity, courtroom skills, and unwavering commitment to every family she serves.

Do you need assistance navigating the complex probate process? Lead Attorney Sheila Ridgway from Ridgway Law Group, P.S. has more than 28 years of legal experience in this area and she can help guide you every step of the way. She focuses primarily on probate issues such as estate and trust litigation, guardianship, TEDRA, will contests, elder law, fiduciary services and mediation. Sheila has taken on very contentious and challenging cases in the past, but she has a proven track record of case victories under her belt. Attorney Ridgway provides individualized representation to her clients that are tailored to meet...